The Mushroom Cloud

What is atomic energy? How is a hydrogen bomb set off? Can the bombs be controlled? A new four-part documentary show called The Quick and the Dead (Thurs. 8 p.m., NBC), with Bob Hope playing the role of inquisitive taxpayer, last week began to answer these questions. "We picked Hope," says 34-year-old Writer-Producer Fred Friendly, "because we figured people would think that if he could understand it, anyone could."

Co-starring Helen Hayes and Paul Lukas, the show boasts dialogue that is limited to "never more than a minute of physics." To Friendly and NBC Vice President William Brooks it is a miracle that The Quick and the Dead ever reached the air. Some network executives protested that it was too controversial; some scientists, fearing sensationalism, were at first reluctant to help; and the cast of 19 had to be tracked from Pensacola to Hollywood with recording equipment. "No two people on the show ever saw each other," says Friendly. The only bonus offered to any member of the cast was to an Army major general, who had to come up to New York from Washington and was rewarded with two tickets to South Pacific. "If there's any secret to the show," observes Friendly, "it's how we got the tickets."

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